Hundreds surround immigration van, forcing release of two men during Eid al-Fitr after tense standoff
In a display of solidarity, campaigners in Glasgow celebrated a victory as two men detained by UK Immigration Enforcement were freed after a day-long protest. The incident occurred in the Pollokshields area on the southside of the city, where around 200 residents surrounded the immigration van to stop the men’s detention.
The protest unfolded on Thursday morning during Eid al-Fitr, as local people stood firm against the actions of immigration officials. The crowd chanted “these are our neighbours, let them go,” and even one protester lay under the van to prevent it from leaving.
Police Scotland intervened to release the men, and campaigners hailed the event as a triumph for Glaswegian solidarity, with activists declaring, “you messed with the wrong city” to the Home Office. Roza Salih, a prominent figure in the protest, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m just overwhelmed by Glasgow’s solidarity for refugees and asylum seekers.” She further declared, “This is a victory for the community.”
